Riptides possible from tropical storm

BOSTON — The National Weather Service is warning swimmers about possible riptide currents in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as Tropical Storm Bertha passes within a few hundred miles of southern New England.

The Weather Service says the threat of rip currents will continue into Wednesday evening for Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, the south coast of Rhode Island and Block Island.

Forecasters say Bertha will be moving east of New England through the day and is expected to bring swells of 5 to 8 feet.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is advising swimmers to check surf conditions, heed the advice of lifeguards and not swim alone.

Riptides are powerful channels of water flowing away from shore that can be dangerous to swimmers.